Many are curious about how Sam Presti and company would use the three first-round picks that the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to have in the 2024 NBA draft.
The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Western Conference in the 2023–24 NBA season, which is just over halfway through.
After almost missing out on the Play-In Tournament as a 10 seed in 2022–23, OKC has significantly outperformed expectations this year, now tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 34–15.
Sam Presti and team have built a strong roster through trades, the draft, and even a few waiver wire additions, which has fueled the Thunder’s quick rise. Oklahoma City boasts a formidable roster that includes three first-round draft selections in the 2019 NBA Draft in addition to its deep and skilled roster.
The well-known author slotted two wings and a forward to the Thunder in a recent mock draft that was made public by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. Former 5-star Ron Holland was placed at No. 12.
According to 247Sports, Holland, a native of Duncanville, Texas, was ranked as the top player in the 2023 high school recruiting class. Holland had previously committed to Texas, but he later changed his mind and decided to play for the G League Ignite following his graduation from high school.
Holland, who is listed as 6-foot-8 and 206 pounds, is leading the Ignite in scoring this season with 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. But the most significant doubt about the exceptional athlete’s skill set is related to his shooting.
While Holland’s field goal percentage of 45.5% is reasonable—especially considering he is still a prospect—scouts are concerned about his 23.7% 3-point shooting percentage.
O’Connor contends that Holland would be a good match for OKC because of his effort, defensive savvy, and agility. He also believes that Holland’s percentages from the outside may be improved under shooting coach Chip Engelland, who is from the Dallas region.
O’Connor selected Virginia forward Ryan Dunn to the Thunder with the 13th overall pick.
Dunn, a sophomore from Freeport, New York, is 21 years old and weighs 216 pounds. The Cavaliers star is shooting 57.6% from the field and averaging 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game in 22 games this season.
Similar to Holland, Dunn’s primary area of worry is his 3-point shooting, as the star forward has only shot 24% this season from outside the arc.
Dunn, who is 7 feet 1 inch tall, is comparable to Herb Jones, a wing for the Pelicans, and Andre Roberson, a former standout defensive player for the Thunder.
O’Connor selected Swedish forward Bobi Klintman with the third and final first-round selection made by Oklahoma City, selecting him with the No. 24 overall pick.
Klintman, who is originally from Malmo, Sweden, moved to Kansas in his high school years to attend Sunrise Christian Academy. After finishing his school career, Klintman attended Wake Forest for one season.
Klintman, who is listed as 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, is now a player for the NBL’s Cairns Taipans, averaging 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest. With a 7-foot wingspan and superb mobility for his size, Klintman, who is still only 20 years old, might be another positive swing for the Thunder.
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